Ortofon MC 90X
Best high-end moving coil cartridge for discerning vinyl audiophiles.
This cartridge breathes new life into a legendary design, using laser-sintered steel and advanced damping to extract startling detail from your vinyl. It demands a high-end setup to truly shine, but the payoff is a level of sonic transparency and tracking precision that makes your favorite records feel entirely new.
$4999.99
at
Upscale Audio
Who it's for
- Collectors prioritizing long-term durability and signal purity
- Audiophiles seeking absolute sonic clarity and neutral playback
- Listeners demanding flawless tracking of complex musical passages
Who should skip it
- Owners lacking high-gain, specialized phono amplification equipment
- Users wanting convenient, self-service maintenance options
- Budget-conscious listeners seeking high-value audio components
Performance breakdown
Tracking Precision
The Replicant 100 stylus navigates complex grooves with surgical accuracy.
Channel Separation
Exceptional magnetic stability delivers a wide, immersive soundstage for listeners.
Build Integrity
Selective Laser Melting creates a rigid, resonance-free stainless steel housing.
Frequency Linearity
Maintains a remarkably flat response across the entire audible spectrum.
Damping Performance
Advanced rubber absorbers effectively eliminate unwanted mechanical distortion and vibration.
Signal Clarity
Quad coil configuration ensures a clean, low-noise output for high-end systems.
Key Specs
Channel balance
< 0.2 dB at 1 kHz
Output voltage
0.25 mV at 1 kHz
Channel separation
> 28 dB at 1 kHz
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz +/- 1 dB
Dynamic compliance
11 μm/mN
Cantilever material
Boron
Stylus type
Ortofon Replicant 100
Stylus tip radius
5/100 μm
Coil system
Quad coils
Recommended tracking force
2.3 grams
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